Karuppur Kalamkari is a rare and historic textile tradition that flourished during the 17th–18th centuries under the patronage of the Maratha and Nayak rulers of Thanjavur. Originally created in the royal karkhanas, this craft decorated luxurious silk sarees worn by queens, temple dancers, and aristocrats. Unlike other Kalamkari traditions, Karuppur combined freehand painting, block outlines, and rich gold embellishment directly onto silk, merging the finesse of miniature painting with the opulence of South Indian temple aesthetics. Motifs were inspired by temple sculptures, mythological scenes, floral vines, and ornamental borders typical of Thanjavur art.